Are You Looking For A Criminal Defense Lawyer In Kentucky

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime, you are probably confused about what comes next. A criminal charge is likely to lead to incarceration, fines, probation and a list of other legal consequences that can plague a person for years and years.

Top crimes in Kentucky

Kentucky State Police data shows that a crime occurs in the state every two minutes and 34 seconds. The most common crimes in Kentucky include:

Larceny and theft offenses- 29.52 percent of all crimes

Drug and narcotic- 19.84 percent

Assault offenses- 13.74 percent

Burglary and breaking and entering offenses- 9.49 percent

Other common crimes on Kentucky include prostitution, sexual assault, and weapons charges.

Misdemeanor vs. felony in Kentucky

Crimes in Kentucky are either felonies or misdemeanors depending on the seriousness of the offense and the circumstances surrounding an individual’s arrest. Misdemeanors are minor compared to felonies which carry a minimum of one year in jail. Both misdemeanors and felonies are divided into classes.

Misdemeanors Classes and Penalties

Misdemeanors are broken down into two categories:

Class A misdemeanors can carry 90 days up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $500.

Class B misdemeanors are punishable up to 90 days in incarceration and a fine of up to $250.

Examples of misdemeanors include public intoxication, petty theft, possession of marijuana and trespassing.

Felony Classes and Penalties

Class A felonies are the most serious and can result in 20 to 50 years’ imprisonment or a life sentence.

Class B felonies can result in a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years.

Class C felonies can result in 5 to 10 years of incarceration.

Class D Class D felonies are punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison

Capital offenses

Murder is a considered a capital offense which is punishable by death, life without parole or 25 years to 50 years in prison depending on the severity of the crime.

Resolving your case

If you are charged with a crime in Kentucky, you have two options to resolve your case. You can agree to a plea bargain or develop a defense strategy and go to court. Before you make any important decisions about what plea to enter, USAttorneys encourages you to speak with a criminal defense lawyer in Kentucky.

After your arrest in Kentucky

You need to speak with an attorney near your Kentucky location to as soon after your arrest as you can. USAttorneys has a network of expert criminal defense lawyers to assist with all aspects of your case. They can help you bail out of jail, decide how to plea and build a defense.